So what's the plan?

It's only 2 months till Dave will graduate from 1st year at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministries. So what's our plan?

Well, initially we thought we'd be coming back to Australia...but only to get our visas and head back in time for 2nd year. We've realised, after much discussion and differing information, that we can go into Canada and apply for our visas there. We have also found out that we can enter back in the US anytime (opposed to just 30 days prior to school starting), due to the fact that Dave is returning to the same course of study. As much as we'd love to see friends and family, it is much more efficient financially to do it this way. It also allows us to enjoy some time exploring the country and enjoy a SUMMER! Woohoo! :) Not too keen on the idea of leaving winter here just to face winter in Australia. So we'll travel into Canada with some Aussie friends and perhaps spend a couple of weeks exploring Canada, Washington and Oregon. We'll also enjoy the HOT summer here in Redding, spending time at the lakes, and in our neighbours pool! :)

The other reason for not returning to Australia is so I (Taff) can attend the School of Worship. This is a 3 week intensive over the summer (obviously the US summer :) ). I am so excited to be able to spend those weeks soaking up all I can, so I can continue to grow in the area of prophetic worship. I so believe in the power of worship and what it can release into people's lives.

We're also looking forward to visits from family and friends while Dave's on the summer break. We'll possibly try and rent out our spare room (currently occupied by our boarders) during the summer, or at least during the school of worship, just to help cover the rent. (We love our house and we don't want to lose it! It's such a blessing in so many ways - to us and all who consider it a second home :) ).

With all this info we'd love you to pray for us! Firstly, we need the finances to be able to pay for visas and 2nd year school fees, as well as the fees for the school of worship. (I'm also believing that God will provide a digital keyboard for me! I'm biting at the bit to be able to play and worship at home, and record songs onto the Mac.) Secondly, pray that the visa process will be quick and hassle free. Thirdly, we'd love you to keep praying for us to continue to learn and grow, and see God use us supernaturally to see MANY lives saved, healed and delivered. We can't wait to pass on what we are learning!

We love you all and thank you sooo much for your prayers and support! We are learning so much and changing continually! The love of God is soooo amazing!

Mozambique Update

Here's an email I received yesterday updating what the team have been up to already! I also spoke to Dave this morning (he called for Zeke's birthday) and he is very excited about what's been happening!

Just a quick update from our Bethel Mozambique team to say hello and
thank you for all your support and prayers! We arrived in Mozambique
yesterday after some lengthy but wonderful travel together- much fun
and bonding and ministry as well from flight to flight! We are all
healthy, happy and well adjusted.
The solid three weeks of rain they’ve been experiencing in Mozambique
stopped as soon as we arrived, and we’ve certainly been enjoying the
beautiful African sun-you can join us in agreeing that the sun will
shine throughout our whole time here!
We have a wonderfully musically inclined team of such worshippers and
we have already seen the life and joy and refreshing brought to the
people and even the land itself as we worship together! It’s also a
great ministry tool- the universal language indeed!
We’ve already had some beautiful spontaneous times of ministry in
local villages where we have enjoyed playing, singing and dancing with
the people and children, praying for anyone who is sick and rejoicing
as people who came to us saying they had pain throughout their whole
body light up as they report all the pain is gone. One woman asked for
prayer because she wanted to be free of her alcohol addiction, and it
was such a privilege to watch Jesus lift the shame and heaviness off
her, and minutes later to see her leading others in songs of worship
with such light radiating from her eyes! One man was completely healed
of the pain and constriction in his chest—and then those who received
healing began praying with us for others who needed healing! We got to
prophesy life and leadership into a couple of the men and afterwards
you could see in their disposition that they were rising up in their
identities as protectors and leaders among their community.
We’ll be ministering at the clinic, prisons and churches in the days
to come- teaching, praying for the sick, feeding the people. We
appreciate your continued prayers for ministry that yields lasting
fruit, people to come into the kingdom of His marvelous light, and
radical transformation in the lives of us all- our team, the
missionaries here, as well as the people of Mozambique!

Thank you so much for you love and prayers!
Bethel Mozambique Team

Departing for Mozambique

Dave's departure for Mozambique began at midnight last night. The group left full of anticipation about what God was going to do through them on their trip. Again we want to say a huge 'thank you' to everyone who is supporting this trip. Dave was able to purchase a steel string guitar, a digital camera, soccer balls, a whole stack of art supplies and other activities to bless the mission in Mozambique. On top of this, he still had around $1000 to donate to the mission. He hopes to implement a lending system with this money so local people can borrow an amount of money to start a business. They would then pay this money back as the business generated an income for them. He heard of this idea from other missionaries who had set up a similar thing in Africa that worked amazingly. It's very exciting to think that we can sow into the community over a long period of time.

The idea of Dave being away for 2 weeks could be a little daunting, however I am blessed with amazing kids and so many offers of help! Lots of people have offered to help look after the kids, cook meals, or just hang out! (Oh, and the amazing generosity of our friends lending me money as Dave left with the bank cards which is our only access to finance!! :) ). I feel very loved!

Things to pray for over this time:

Dave left feeling a little unwell - please pray that he arrives refreshed and healthy, and with no jet lag!

Pray for miracles of salvation, healing and deliverance while they are there! Pray that God would work through them in ways that would have a lasting effect on the community.

Pray for myself and the kids that we would have an amazing time together to help the time pass quickly! Also pray for health, for Jaden in particular. He's has the start of croup which I'm believing will not progress, but instead leave his body.

Thanks sooo much for all your support and prayers! God is amazing!!!!

Back Healing Miracle!

A few weeks ago, I was in my second week of a new outreach called "Treasure Hunts". This is the outreach where we are split into groups and pray to God for clues that will lead us to have divine encounters with some people. These clues range from - colour of clothing, names, sickness and location etc. Anyway, this day I was split up and put with 2 other first year girls and a 2nd year and 3rd year student. Before we left we all got together to pray, and during this prayer time, I saw an ex-ray of a back. In the ex-ray, the middle of the back was black, like a disc was damaged or hurt. So I told the group as we were driving down town to begin looking for people to share the Kingdom with, and especially a bad back. While in the car, the 3rd year student said "What do you guys want to see today? God loves to answer requests!" We said that we wanted to see a healing! He said "Ok for sure you will!"

After prophecying over some people in an Op-Shop, we saw a black man, sitting on the side of the road at a set of lights. So we crossed the road and began to chat to him. His name was Alex, and his left foot was at least 40cm shorter, with the difference being made up by a large black soled shoe. So we began to pray for his leg to grow out and his hip to be healed. As we prayed, we could all feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. After praying, he felt God's presence and was instantly sober! Then the 2nd year student started to ask him if there was anyone he needed to forgive? To which the 3rd year asked him "What about yourself Alex? Do you need to forgive yourself?"

Alex froze and nodded his head, then we led him in a prayer of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit touched him some more! Then we asked him to say "Holy Spirit, what do you like about me?". After waiting a while, and then asking him "What did he say?", he replied "He said "everything!" To which he began to cry some more.

Then the 3rd year asked him if he had a sore back and how bad the pain was? Alex replied "Yes, right in the middle of my back, its 15/10 sore too!" We were all excited because we knew we were about to see God heal this man! So we prayed, and he got half better, then we prayed again to see it completed. I prayed this time, and said "God I just reach up into heaven now and grab a new back and place it into his body." Instantly the mans back started to pop and crack! The 2nd year said "Ohhh do you feel that? Its popping?" to which Alex replied "Sure thing I feel that! Can you feel that too!"

Alex was completely healed of all back pain! He left rejoicing and praising Jesus for his miracle!

We are hoping to have Alex over for dinner to continue to love him and share Jesus with him

(Pray that we can get in contact with him, thanks!)

THANK YOU!

Ever since we decided to make the move to America, God has provided all of our needs every step of the way. Over the last five months, we have been amazed at the generosity people have show towards us. We want to say a huge 'THANK YOU' to everyone that has supported us both in prayer and in finance. We have people that are regularly sowing into our lives and others that make amazing donations when they feel led. We could not be here without your support, so we truly want to make it know how appreciative we are and what a difference it is making in our lives! Prior to christmas we also had an INCREDIBLE donation anonymously put into our account. To whoever that was, THANK YOU! It brought tears to my (Taff) eyes. To others that blessed us during the financially trying season of christmas - thank you! We were totally blown away.

To everyone that has made donations towards Dave's mission trip to Mozambique - again - THANK YOU! People have donated enough funds to cover his trip and more! The extra funds will be sown into the trip and into the lives of people in Mozambique. What an opportunity to bless that country!

God has been faithful and over and over again he is showering his love upon us! We are learning some amazing truths, which we will continue to update you with. Thank you again, and we pray that you will be bless ten-fold for all that you have given both in finance and prayers! We love you all.

Christmas, New Year, Aussie Day

Christmas day was full of excitement! First, spending the morning opening presents with the people in our house, the sharing Christmas lunch with about 20 people - all in our house! We had our Aussie friends with us, our housemates, and a few American couples who also had no one to share the day with. Everyone brought something to share, so it was easy to cater for. It was really nice to have so many people around.

New Years Eve was also a night full of people in our house. We had a movie theme, with everyone coming dress up as a movie character. Again, it was lots of fun being with lots of people. I (Taff) realise more and more just how much I enjoy being around people and having people in the house. Life is much more fun when shared with people!

In between Christmas and New Year we took a drive up to the snow. It was the first time that I had seen or been in real falling snow. (I think once in high school there were a few snow flakes falling, but nothing significant). We tobogganed on the slope for a few hours and enjoyed the 'Narnia' environment around us. If you are on facebook - check out the Video called 'Daddy Don't Jump' posted on our walls. Zeke first experience of a toboggan was not necessarily a happy one! :) However, we've been to the snow again and he now loves going down the slope on his own! :) No harm done.

We celebrated Australia Day at our house with a BBQ and a bunch of Aussies (and adopted Aussies :) ). The Aussie flag was hanging, green and gold war paint on, handball comps happening (all leagues), and good ol' Aussie products displayed around the room. We also spent the arvo praying for and prophesying over each other and Australia.

So we've had lots of things going on with a whole bunch of people. It's really nice to have such an amazing house that we can host so many people in.

Update on Zeke, Jaden & Taff

Here's a bit of an update on the three of us not in school! :)

Zeke is growing quickly and seems to be more intelligent by the day! He's managed to work out how to operate the computer and navigate around Bob the Builder and Thomas the Tank Engine websites, completing all the puzzles and activities as he goes! While I don't like him playing on it for too long, it does help in those moments where you just need some time to get stuff done! He loves the kids church here. They teach them to listen to the Holy Spirit and prophecy over each other. The spend time worshipping and soaking in the presence of God. It's such an encouragement to know that your kids are being taught what you are being taught! How much more will they flourish in life being taught this stuff now! Zeke also loves to play with his Aussie friends Luca and Amaya. Luca is turning 4 in January and Amaya will be 2 in the same month. So Zeke is right inbetween which suits him well. He loves to play with those a bit older than him as he can communicate with them. Zeke is very excited about Christmas. Christmas is so much more enjoyable with children around!

Jaden is now 6 months old and has just cut his first tooth! Even in the process of immunisations, teething and learning to digest food he still is pretty much a placid and smiley kid! He's also been prophesied over in the child care room at church. It was about him being peaceful and bringing peace to our house. It's so true! Over the past week Jades has been practicing getting up onto his knees and rocking. Lots of development to come in the next few months! I'm looking forward to him being able to move around as I think Zeke will enjoy playing with him more. Zeke is beautiful with Jaden. Loves to include him in story time at bedtime, and loves to roll him around on the floor! We look forward to watching them grow up and play together.

I (Taff) have been doing a parenting group called 'Raising Tomorrow's Leaders'. The material used is brilliant - taken from many different authors and experts in the field. It's been a good way for me to get to know others mums and a chance to get out of the house! I plan on doing a bit of a summary of some of the material we're looking at, so if you're interested in it, let me know!

Recently I've had a few opportunities to sing. I've starting worship leading for the parenting group I'm involved in. There are about 100 women, so it feels like leading at a small church. I'm loving the opportunity to work with another mum who's been involved in the Bethel Worship Team. I've also joined the Bethel Worship Choir (I know, I can't believe it either). It's been a great way to get with other 'worshippers' and catch some of the culture of Bethel myself. The choir sings every sunday morning, and we've just finished a month of Christmas events. We've sung in the mall (shopping centre kinda like the Bendigo Marketplace or small Westfields), the Holiday Feast (community christmas lunch put on by Bethel Church), and a couple of events for the elderly. As part of this, I've also had the opportunity to sing a few solos. It's so nice to be able to do what I love to do. I had come here prepared not to sing for a year or so, but God has provided opportunities for me - and oh how I needed it. I was feeling a little restless not being a part of worship or singing! :)

Recently Dave surprised me with a new car! When we initially arrived in Redding, we purchased a cheap small car in a hurry. The car wasn't the most reliable car I've had, and it wasn't big enough for Dave to sit in the passenger seat! We'd been keeping our eye out for Subaru Outbacks on Craigslist (online classifieds). Dave saw one and got it checked out, then brought it home for me! It cost about the same as the first car we bought as it we purchased it for half its value! The car is in brilliant condition! We then sold our first car for the same price we purchased it. So we basically upgraded our car for $150. Very blessed! Now we all fit in the car and can take a day trip to the snow!

Now Christmas is upon us and we're really enjoying a winter Christmas. Something really special about it. We'll have about 15 people in our house to enjoy Christmas lunch with. But before that, as is the case every year, we will put Christmas on hold for a day to celebrate Dave's birthday on December 24!

Happy Birthday Dave!